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THe Bemidji Symphony Orchestra will present "Presidents, Portraits and Paradigms" with humanities scholar Clay Jenkinson at 3 p.m. today at Bemidji High School Performing Arts Center. Jenkinson, in character as Thomas Jefferson, will take the audience on a trip to Mount Rushmore National Memorial to introduce four of the men whose faces are immortalized there. Under the baton of Beverly Everett, the program will include Franz Joseph Haydn's Symphony No. 88 in G major and Corelli's Concerto Grosso Op. 6 No.8.

There are three events today with crossover times, so be careful when choosing. The Oxcars Celebration, an awards ceremony honoring thespians who were chosen to be recipients of an Oxcars award, a blue Babe statuette. The event will begin with a social hour from 2 to 3 p.m. with award ceremony at 3 p.m. at Suzi and Hondo's Dance Studio, 1259 Tyler Ave. SE with hosts Kevin Cease and Cate Belleveau. Oxcars will be given for excellence in theater, design, directing, original works, acting and upcoming youth in theater.

BEMIDJI -- The air at the Sanford Center will be filled with people making small talk -- "Better get another beer before the show starts"; "Can we see from here?" and the big question: "How will they deal with the loss of George, the big, bald guy who kept the group on task and time?" The lights go down in the house, the hostile sounds taken from the Celtic thunder of long ago when Irishmen tried to scare off the enemy; the lights come up in a fury, bounce from one granite block to another seeking to hide the warrior until he is in the best place to protect his homeland; the men stride on sta

BEMIDJI -- Extravaganza is the word this week swirling around the Department of Music at BSU as it brings three different performance groups and master classes to the Headwaters School of Music and the Arts and to the university. Regional, national and international musicians, vocalists and collaborative pianists will be giving master classes in their specialties and concerts all open to the public at Thompson Recital Hall of Bangsberg Fine Arts Complex on the BSU campus and at the Headwaters School of Music and the Arts in downtown Bemidji. The events begin at 2 p.m.

Along with all the workshops being offered to the music students open to the public this week by visiting musicians Ana Maria Otamendi and Elena Lacheva from the University of Houston, BSU's own Eric and Jennifer Olson will visit Bemidji area school music classes. The coming week is a spotlight on one of the jewels in the crown of Bemidji State University, the Department of Music — vocal and instrumental. Also of note, junior Luke Bernard will sing his Junior Recital at 3 p.m.

We have a hiatus this week in arts presentations, but you should still mark your calendars for upcoming events. There are quite a few classical events coming up this month, including a faculty recital by Stephen Carlson, wind ensemble concert, BSU Choir home concert and many student recitals.

BEMIDJI -- Sheila Smith, executive director of Minnesota Citizens for the Arts, visited Bemidji on Thursday to deliver the news, something that those in the arts community already suspected: their creative efforts add to the economy. Smith spoke about the new survey, conducted by Creative Minnesota, of the 1,269 arts and cultural organizations in the state, and in particular the impact in the Region 2 Arts Council -- the counties of Beltrami, Clearwater, Hubbard, Lake of the Woods and Mahnomen. Smith outlined the results of the story for the audience of 25 at the Rail River Folk School.

We know that spring is coming up on us when the Bemidji Baroque Ensemble is on stage at Bangsberg Fine and Performing Arts Center. What started as an informal gathering of musicians who play for their pleasure, the ensemble now plays for the enjoyment of their audience, as well. These friends (Margaret Maxwell, harpsichord; Natalie Roholt, flute; and Patrick Riley, cello) have been together so long that nuances are natural and they play as a cohesive group of talented musicians. Their spring concert will begin at 3 p.m.

Another weekend of careful slicing and dicing will afford the Bemidji audiences a vast array of musical opportunities and the return of the Poetry Slam this week. Whatever is chosen will prove to be a good choice. Monday • "Reverse Painting on Glass" with Marion Caroline. Attendees will bring a 5 by 7- • inch frame and glass and a picture of choice to the 1 to 4 p.m. class to be held at Gallery North, 502 Third St.